Storykins // Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova

Since we first interviewed author Laurel Snyder about her latest book “Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova“, we’ve been talking about what an inspiration Anna Pavlova is, not just as an historical figure, but as an example of perseverance for our kids, too. Dance can be such an incredible creative outlet and discipline. Our own Editorial Content Director, Leslie Schor, knows a thing or two about getting lost in the music and movement of dance, too. She says, “As a teenager and young adult, dancing allowed me to express myself without fear of being judged. Those moments of losing myself in music, steps and combinations, freed me from ‘real life’. All the the tangible things I worried about would disappear. All that I felt was the joy that comes from connecting with the music and fellow dancers.”

Author Laurel Snyder felt this connection, too, as she went back and re-read the notes she’d scribbled into a childhood volume about Anna Pavlova. In our latest print issue of Babiekins Magazine, we asked Laurel more about this —

“{Q} Your latest book, Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova, is beautifully written! What was it about Anna Pavlova’s life that drew you to her story?

{A} I was obsessed with her as a girl! I was a dancer myself, and I bought myself this old used book about her, with wonderful photos, and a section of her diaries. A few years ago, I found that book in my mom’s basement, and there were notes in it, things I’d scribbled as a kid, about how much I adored her. When I reread the book, I found myself compelled to write about her. It really felt like I was co-writing with my childhood self, because of those scribbles!

{Q} In what ways do you hope the story of Anna Pavlova inspires those who read the book?

{A} Pavlova was up against so much! She was poor, and ballet was for the rich. She was frail and thin, in an age when dancers were far more solidly built. And when she decided she wanted to become a dancer, she was still too young to even think about ballet school for years. But she worked and waited. I feel like one big lesson readers can take from her story is patience. Our world today is so much about instant gratification, and Pavlova’s story is one of waiting and working, and the joy that both waiting and working can be. ”

We went on to chat with Laurel about her most autobiographical books, the advice she has for inspiring the next generation of writers, her midnight writing routine, and more. Catch the entire interview in Print 7, available NOW!